District 25 outlines financial health, bond-funded projects and five-year capital needs

At the Dec. 11 retreat, Business Superintendent Stacy Malik and Facilities Director Ryan Schultz gave a detailed account of District 25’s financial and capital position.

Malik reviewed long-term fiscal indicators: the board maintains a goal of 40–60% fund balance (the district has been at or above the 60% dotted line in recent reporting), the district holds a AAA bond rating, and it passed a $75,000,000 referendum used for full-day kindergarten expansion and a five-year capital plan. Malik said property taxes are the district’s largest revenue source (about 84% residential; about 15% commercial industrial), described the state’s evidence-based funding (EVF) and Tier 1 classification, and noted the district’s per-pupil expenditures at roughly $17,000 (FY24). Malik also said the district abated the county’s tax-refund recapture levy for three years, totaling more than $1.8 million.

Schultz outlined facilities: the district owns 12 facilities (three not student-facing), estimated replacement cost around $650,000,000, and projects roughly $4.3 million in capital work for summer 2026 with a longer-term target nearer $6 million annually to keep pace with aging systems. He noted that some door-hardware and other safety improvements remain in active update plans and that solar adoption is being considered but not committed due to funding and operating-cost questions.

Why it matters: fiscal health and capital planning determine the district’s ability to sustain class sizes, maintain facilities, and fund instructional priorities; the referendum and reserves provide flexibility but also create long-term debt considerations the board monitors.